Framework Laptop 6 Months Later. I'm Less Impressed 😐

I've been daily driving the Framework Laptop for the Past 6 Months and this is my long term review.

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Timecodes:
0:00 - Opener
0:30 - Intro
0:50 - Innovation and Features
2:47 - My Framework Version
3:37 - Clearing up Some Misunderstandings.
4:41 - Maybe I changed My Mind
4:51 - Form Factor and Build Quality
5:42 - The Screen
6:07 - Webcam, Microphone, Speakers
6:30 - Keyboard
6:43 - Trackpad 😕
7:27 - Ports and Expansion Cards
8:22 - Performance
9:32 - Battery Life 🙁
11:02 - It's More Than the Just the Product.
12:25 - Linux Friendly
12:45 - Pros and Cons
13:57 - Who is this Laptop For?
15:13 - More to Come!

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Audio file(s) provided by Epidemic Sound

[ChaoticDucc]

I agree with your conclusion at the beginning. If someone is looking for raw performance or battery life, they would probably go with something from a different company. But because of Framework's focus on repairability and sustainably, alot of people (myself included) have shown interest in the device, even if it's only to support this movement. Great video!

[gouveia]

"Battery life is bad, about 6 hours"

Coming from a Dell laptop that, in three years, ate through 2 battery packs and even on a fresh one never delivered more than 3h, that's awesome to me.

[gargaj]

So I have a Framework en route to me and my first reaction was "oh man the trackpad is crap" and started having buyers regret, until I realized I can just... swap it out if they provide better ones? That's what makes it remarkable - I have to unlearn all my consumer paranoia.

[JinKee]

i hope they succeed. the sheer number of IoT devices you could make out of Framework replacement parts is crazy

[xxnormxx]

Having an engineer as a CEO is a huge + in my eyes.

[gavinmorton]

Cool part of this is that they have a user installable hinge and backplate upgrade, which solves your hinge issue. They have confirmed and ethernet expansion, and they are working on the power draw. Awesome to see that Framework is hearing the userbase and working on fixing it.

[theena]

This being the first generation of the framework, I am not surprised there are teething issues. I agree with your conclusion wholeheartedly - I want to support the company because of their stance on issues that are important to me. I am not expecting perfection or anything, just yet.

[caspyberry]

The thing is, framework should be supported not only to enable them to make better laptops, but also to force other companies to make better and more repairable laptops

[outtokill]

This review basically sums up my thoughts too. For me deep sleep inconsistencies have been my biggest problem with the laptop waking up when I plug it in while its asleep etc. The trackpad I do think has gotten a little worse over time with it not being as sensitive as it used to be. Battery life is still a problem but was better than the Thinkpad I was using before it. All of that said I am still really excited to see where the company goes. I would like to see some 12th gen Intel or Ryzen 6000U mainboards soon so I can re-purpose my current mainboard for other things. No regrets.

[lunaumbra]

Good review. The fun part for me with this laptop is how I upgraded from a 2011 machine. So this is worlds ahead and most of the battery life or performance issues don't register for me because it is so much better than before.

How often are people replacing laptops? Because I'm just surprised at how tech youtubers obsess over certain factors which would be negligible for someone like me..

[mobiousone]

Good review! I’ve had mine for a couple months now (batch 7) and I enjoy it, but agree with your criticisms. I really hope we see future hardware upgrades (better trackpad, for example) hit the marketplace, as that could really set the framework apart from devices by other manufacturers.

[abemann]

Great job! More reviews should be like this. Detailed yet concise, fair and ballenced. Provide the positive and negative points and give the viewer the info to choose for themselves. Thanks for not giving us sponsored fluff.

[ocrab]

Going the DIY and i5 route (very very similar performance) you can get the whole system for just under $1000 which makes it an easier pill to swallow versus $1500, still not perfect but look forward to the future

[itsfonk]

If I had the means, I would support them. This is their first model. I see a bright future ahead for them, if others in the industry also appreciate their long term goal.

[goliteyourworld]

I appreciate your transparency and honesty. I thought your review is very trustworthy. I purchased a framework back in December, but don’t use it all the time simply because I don’t have that level of workload at home. So I appreciate hearing your perspective as someone who has used it consistently for 6 months.

[Kathlanus]

The nice thing about the problem with the mousepad is, even if it is a hardwareproblem, you pop it out and put a fixed replacement in and you're off to the races.

[thibaultmol]

Fair review, I mainly look at it from a TCO total cost of ownership. This laptop is going to be usable longer than any laptop i've ever owned (cause I can just upgrade and replace stuff if needed)

[dholocronkeeper]

i love seeing long term reviews like this that REALLY get into the aspects of using a device every day, and this one was brilliant. truly awesome content man, i enjoyed watching it

[erwinamanciosilva]

The good thing about framework is that even its flaws are easily fixable, like if a better trackpad is released all we would need to do is to swap it, the same with better batteries, you dont need to buy complete new setup to have better and improved experience, much like pc you just swap a component, i wasn't expecting framework to nail everything from the start, but now is the time for them to truly shine, if framework get the component market to work right than it will start its rise to leadership.

[petitpanierdosier]

This with ryzen 7000 series with rdna2 igpu would be insanely good. Given they improve the minor issues with the battery touch pad etc